Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Appeal Court Rules) 2021

Lay support: functions, conditions and duties

4.6.—(1) A lay supporter may assist a party by accompanying the party at hearings in court or in chambers.

(2) A lay supporter may, if authorised by the party, assist the party by—

(a) providing moral support;

(b) helping to manage court documents and other papers;

(c) taking notes of the proceedings;

(d) quietly advising on—

(i) points of law and procedure;

(ii) issues which the party litigant might wish to raise with the Court.

(3) A party may show any document (including a court document) or communicate any information about the proceedings to that party’s lay supporter without contravening any prohibition or restriction on the disclosure of the document or information.

(4) Where a document or information is disclosed under paragraph (3), the lay supporter is subject to any prohibition or restriction on the disclosure in the same way that the party is.

(5) A lay supporter must not receive, directly or indirectly, from the party any remuneration or other reward for assisting the party.

(6) Any expenses incurred by a party in connection with a lay supporter are not recoverable expenses in the proceedings.